Team

Lady Hill Winery is proud to have assembled a uniquely experienced team of Northwest wine industry veterans, each bringing to the company a powerful set of skills and experience.

Jerry Owen

A wine industry pathfinder, fifth-generation farmer, and respected community leader, Jerry Owen brings passion, energy and management expertise to the creation of Lady Hill Winery and the Lady Hill wine brands.

As the steward of his family farm—continuously farmed since his ancestors came to the land in the 1850s—and with an education that includes both agriculture science and literature, Jerry possesses an unusual sensitivity to both the economics and poetics of agrarian-based businesses and the responsibilities of being a steward to the land and its heritage.

In 1995 Jerry entered the wine business with the planting of his estate St. Columban Vineyard, followed in 1999 by co-founding Owen Roe Winery. Deeply involved in all aspects of managing winegrowing, fruit sourcing, and winery management, Jerry’s reputation for integrity, fairness, and energy has cemented extensive relationships with key growers and winemakers throughout the Northwest.

Seeking to build on his experience with grapes from across the Northwest, and to honor his five-generation Oregon family heritage, Jerry founded Lady Hill in 2012 and built the Lady Hill Winery in 2013.

Contact Jerry at jowen@ladyhill.com.

 

 

 

Elaine Owen

The most successful businesses and compelling brands consistently express vital values in their practices and grace in their character. Elaine Owen is the shepherd of the Lady Hill corporate character and brand image. Having grown up on a multi-generation family farm in the heartland, and with a background in English Literature from the University of Kansas, Elaine shares with Jerry a love of the land and its abundance when overseen with care and knowledge.

In a competitive environment where wine brands struggle for success, two elements are critical: wine quality and brand distinction. Elaine is instrumental in defining the unique spirit and personality of each of the Lady Hill Winery brands to reflect the essence of the wine in the bottle. Applying her experience as an art educator, Elaine guides the continuing development of each product’s visual identity and expression, as well as the spirit of the overall Lady Hill Winery brand and identity.

Contact Elaine at elaine@ladyhill.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Harve Ballard

As operations general manager for Lady Hill, Harve contributes a wealth of wine industry and corporate management experience to the winery’s business management and operations.

Before joining Lady Hill, Harve was Compliance Manager for Oregon Wine Services and General Manager and Controller of Cana’s Feast Winery. In these capacities Harve has been responsible for all facets of the winery business, from vineyard contracts and wine production, to sales, marketing, and finance management. Included in his expertise is detailed experience with TTB and OLCC complaince.

Harve’s background also includes supply chain management positions for Credence Systems and Tektronix, as well as the successful creation and growth of Ballard Accounting & Management Services.

Contact Harve at harve@ladyhill.com or 503-678-1204.

 

 

 

Erik Brasher

Erik is Consulting Winemaker for Lady Hill Winery, responsible for all aspects of winegrowing, fruit sourcing, and crafting wines of the highest quality possible.

Erik embodies the fusion of craft and art in his approach to winemaking. A graduate of Michigan State University with a BA in Viticulture, and from Oregon State University with an MA in Horticulture and Fermentation Science, Erik brings a scientifically-informed approach to the technical craft of winemaking. Yet his deep appreciation for land and grapes enables him to also employ an intuitive approach to the art and aesthetics of winemaking—not every aspect of the process can be reduced to measurements and formulae; judgement and experience are vital to making the best wines.

The result of this unique combination has been a track record of high-achieving wines. Erik was enologist at Arygle Winery, and enologist and director of winemaking for Owen Roe. Erik and his teams have made wines that received numerous 90-plus scores from national wine critics, including a 97-point score from The Wine Spectator for his Owen Roe 2008 Chapel Block Syrah from Red Willow Vineyard.

Contact Erik at erik@ladyhill.com or 503-678-1204.

 

 

 

 

 

Eve Owen

You could say Eve has 20 years experience in the wine business having grown up in Owen Roe. Eve launched her wine sales & marketing career at eighteen when she established Ex Cellars distribution with Owen Roe during her gap year. A few years older and wiser – and of legal drinking age – she now finds herself back in the beautiful Northwest at Lady Hill Winery.

Among many things, Eve manages sales support at Lady Hill Winery. She is your go-to-gal for all sales, marketing, and winery questions. She’ll be the friendly voice on the other end of the phone and strives for a quick response time to all emails.

Contact Eve at eve@ladyhill.com or 503-678-1204.